There is a long history of trying to control the population of predator species, such as the coyote, through a system of hunting and bounty. These four skinned and discarded coyotes are missing their ears because ears had to be submitted as proof to collect bounty. In the desert below Sommer's home, the low humidity and high temperatures during much of the year create conditions where a carcass would dry, or desiccate, leaving the muscles with a surface like paper.